UMD replacement case

ABSTRACT

To invent a replacement case for a Universal Media Disc, better known as UMD. With front and back panels including pins and clasps to snap the two halves together. Pins with beveled ends and clasps with teeth are provided on the one half to connect the bottom half when snapped together. The product was invented as an after-market solution to recover high priced multimedia files which had been lost due to broken disc cartridge cases. The replacement cases are re-usable/re-sealable in comparison to the original UMD cases.

The below described specification and description does adequately describe the physical characteristics of the final invention. However, it is necessary to mention exactly how this product differs from the original casing in its economical/function ways here. The invention mentioned below is a re-useable and re-sealable case that was designed to replace the existing case which is not re-useable and re-sealable. The reason for this invention is that the market demanded to be able to protect, preserve and recover Universal Media Discs (UMD) that were purchased in the past and could no longer be used when the cartridge/disc case had broken or fell apart. In other words, there was no solution available to consumers to take their Universal Media Disc (UMD) and place it in another case, allowing them to recover those files on the disc. It is further necessary to explain that the Universal Media Disc cannot be played without its cartridge/case/housing. It becomes a useless piece of media never to be used again without the invention mentioned below. The product was taken to market in the last 90 days with 100% customer satisfaction, accolades and very pleased consumers.

This product differentiates from the original in quality, thickness, and construction. The original design included a 4-piece construction versus this 2-piece construction. Eliminating all of the problems the 4-piece construction had, i.e. separation of parts. We have chosen to use a mix of acrylics and polycarbonate products to make this product indestructible versus the original which has a limited life-time.

Another way our product differs from the original casing is by the quality being far superior to the original. It is used currently today to maintain large rental inventories for corporations to insure that the longevity and conservation of their investments be secured. On a consumer level, it is used, in simple terms, to keep kids games playing and moms and dads happy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1:

Top view of inside top half of the UMD Replacement Case.

-   -   A: Lines showing pins used to close the case     -   B: Line used to show male clasps used to close case

FIG. 2:

Top view of inside bottom half of UMD Replacement Case.

-   -   C: Line used to how counter holes which pins go in.     -   D: Line used to show female clasp to close case

FINAL DETAIL

The replacement case is constructed so that it opens in a direction parallel to the plainer surface of it's other half and holds the disc in a parallel plain to the plainer surface. The UMD case has at least 11 positioning pins holes formed there in. The UMD case has 11 blind holes incorporated on the backside or lower half of the replacement case. The holder has at least 13 projections that extend to holes and slots to maintain the replacement case. The projections are arranged to correspond in location to the holes so that the projections can be inserted resiliently into the holds of the UMD Replacement Case. It also makes the process of inserting the disc into the case a more robust alignment between the case and the disc. A tolerant insertion accommodation is critical for assembly during manual insertion of the disc; especially by children.

In the preferred embodiment, the insertions are pins that are formed integrally with the outer rim of the case.

The holding action of the UMD Replacement Case is engaged by “snapping” the two halves together. The beveled ends of the pins provide a lead-in for the holes on the other half.

The above described construction provides a built-in security that enables the case to withstand packaging, distribution, and heavy consumer usage. Because the disc is retained by its new housing when closed, it is difficult to remove the disc from the case without opening the case. 

1. The present invention relates to cartridge cases which are used to house Universal Media Discs (UMD). It was designed on contract of the rental industry to take what was once a “throw away” item and convert it to a re-usable/re-sealable work-horse to protect large inventories of rental equipment. The UMD replacement case was designed by me when contracted by rental companies to come up with a solution for them to recover and maintain the large UMD inventories.
 2. The prior art includes UMD cartridge cases that were designed weakly and led to breakage, and the consumer having to purchase a new game when the case broke or fell apart.
 3. It is the object of the present invention to provide an improved disc cartridge case that solves the problems and short comings with prior art devices described above. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a disc cartridge case which is re-useable/re-sealable to allow the consumer or end-user to recover his/her lost files.
 4. It is further object of the present invention to provide a disc cartridge case replacement that uses holes, pins, and clasps to secure the media file disc within the case.
 5. It is further object of the present invention to provide a replacement case that is economical to manufacture, assemble, and easy to use that has a durable construction that provides additional security for the retail industry and to add significant longevity to the existing product or prior art. 